Route West Midlands to Dorset

[Tapestry]

Hi

We will be travelling from the West Midlands to Dorset - Dorchester area on a Friday in August. Any advice on which is the best route from M5. We use M54, M6 then M5 then ? The plan is set off in the morning, arriving around lunch time in Dorset.

Many thanks in advance

Annette

 

[rayc]

If it were me I would leave the M5 at jct 25 onto A358 to it's junction with the A303. East {London ] bound on A303 to A3088 Yeovil and onto the A37 to Dorchester.

The roads are good and there should be no hold up problems an a normal Friday morning.

 

[RayS]

Must agree with my illustrious (near) namesake. Leaving M5 any earlier than Taunton not advised particularly not via Bristol.

Depending on where in the West Midlands you start from, another, longer, route but with dual most of the way would be M40 - A34 - M3 _ A31 (Oxford, southampton, Poole) but unless you want a very leisurely trip do not recommentd the round 'down the middle' i.e. A429 - A350 via Cirencster and Chippenham. Beware spped camera about half way along the stretch from Taunton to Yeovil. If you want a lunch stop not quite to dorchester, there is a very large picnic area at the roundabout A303 - A37 about 5 miles before Yeovil - Catergate.

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

Thanks to you both - will pass on your suggestions to OH. With our 3 kids plus their cousin travelling with us I don't think they would be up for the idea of a very leisurely trip via Cirencester and Chippenham.

Thanks again

Annette

 

[Ray_5112937]

Hi Annette

As Ray C says M5 J25 onto Yeovil followed by Dorchester

Shimples, it's my neck of the woods

From the Original Ray

 

[phillip_374558452]

the advice by ray is good i use this route in a lorry good roads loads of laybuys and snack bars there is olso a picknick area just befour yeovil with lots of parking places for cars van and lorries there is a cafe there and toilets

 

[phillip_374558452]

the advice by ray is good there are loads of laybys on that road snack bars and a picknick area just befour yeovil with toilets and cafe

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Alternatively try M4 and leave at J17 for Melksham, Warminster, etc. A350 and at end of road after bypassing Blandford Forum, at T junction with A35 turn right for Dorchester. This is the route I always take for Poole area and so far no trouble at all.